A stunning seismic shift has hit the high-profile investigation into the missing sabungeros case, and it’s rewriting the story in real time.

Originally known by the alias “Alyas Totoy,” witness Julie Patidongan emerged as a central figure in allegations implicating businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barreto in the disappearance of dozens of cockfight enthusiasts. But now, four critical witnesses have recanted their prior testimony—and claim they were financially compensated to pressure Totoy into maintaining his version of events.

According to José Kapunan, legal counsel for Ang, these witnesses recanted after being paid nearly 300 million pesos in exchange for distorting the narrative and helping to target Totoy with accusations. Patidongan, who is currently under PNP protection, was previously hailed by the Department of Justice as a key whistleblower in a case that shook the nation.

In televised statements, Atong Ang’s legal team called Totoy’s credibility into question—citing previous criminal cases against him, including kidnap, robbery, and frustrated murder charges. They insist that the missing sabungeros storyline lacks verifiable proof unless third-party witnesses or physical evidence emerge.

One of the witnesses reportedly admitted to accepting as much as one million pesos to incriminate Totoy earlier. Another described being asked repeatedly to alter testimony after payments fell through.

Amid escalating controversy, Senator Risa Hontiveros declared plans to file a criminal complaint with the NBI over what she described as a campaign of witness tampering and misinformation. She accused the orchestrators behind the flip as using videos to harass and undermine the credibility of rightful whistleblowers.

Meanwhile, advocates and analysts warn that the probe now faces a serious credibility crisis unless corroborating testimonies and hard evidence emerge. Journalist Alfred Dalizon emphasized the need for further witness validation and pinpointed recovery sites in the vast depths of Taal Lake to solve what may be a decades-old disappearance.

The twist has cast deep doubts on earlier claims and underscored how fragile justice can be when witness testimony becomes a currency for influence. As this case unfolds, authorities face mounting pressure to distinguish truth from manipulation in pursuit of accountability and resolution.